Finding common ground in Wahkiakum County

Earlier this year, a diverse group of 40 Wahkiakum County leaders came together at four half-day workshops to find common ground around watershed restoration in Wahkiakum County. The program, known as Wahkiakum Common Ground, was organized by Wahkiakum County Marine Resources Committee and WSU Wahkiakum County Extension, in collaboration with many partners. The workshops were funded by Coastal Hazards Organizational Resilience Team (COHORT), a collaborative effort of several Washington state agencies

While the last two decades have seen many examples of success in stabilizing streambanks, removing fish passage barriers, improving public safety, and mitigating high-water events across Wahkiakum County's watersheds, much more work is needed. Unfortunately, there is long-standing distrust between local landowners and the agencies or nonprofits involved in these efforts. This lack of trust was shaped by early stream restoration work that inadvertently flooded private property, and locals' feelings that outside decision-makers did not consider their knowledge and priorities.

The situation was exacerbated by a lack of awareness of the many successful stream restoration projects of the last two decades-resulting from inadequate communication among all the parties. In a county with limited financial resources and many watershed hazards to address, the lack of community buy-in means the county is missing opportunities to enhance resilience through watershed projects that both reduce risk (e.g., by upgrading county culverts and bridges) and support sustainable fisheries (e.g., through restoring instream features).

Those in attendance for these workshops were leaders representing landowners, residents, county departments and committees, state agencies, tribes, special districts (ports, diking, flood control, etc.), local businesses, and nonprofit organizations. The workshops were structured to emphasize increasing collaboration, improving communication, developing relationships, and building trust among participants. The tone for the four workshops in January, February, March, and May was set by "group agreements" that focused on showing respect for the experience, perspectives, and wisdom of all attendees. Each workshop began with an opening circle where attendees briefly spoke about their hopes for the day. Then there were presentations about two or three local watershed restoration projects, followed by site visits to those projects. One workshop was focused on Skamokawa Creek, another on Grays River, and a third on Elochoman River.

The group then returned to the meeting hall for lunch and small-group discussions to identify the benefits of the restoration work seen for people, fish, and the economy. The day ended with another closing circle where attendees shared one thing from the day that resonated with them. Attendees expressed appreciation for what they learned about local watershed restoration activities and gratitude for the relationships made. The fourth workshop was focused on learning from economic innovators in the county about how their business benefited from healthy watersheds and fisheries.

Wahkiakum Common Ground led to greater understanding of the ways that funding for fish-friendly upgrades can also benefit the local economy, landowners, and public safety. People also recognized the importance of collaboration and the need to engage the larger Wahkiakum community in these discussions. Attendees worked together to generate ideas that were distilled into a Guiding Principles document to inform future watershed restoration efforts across the county. This document is available from Wahkiakum County Extension at carrie.shofner@wsu.edu. The group envisions a future Wahkiakum County that respects the past, thrives in the present, and adapts to future challenges by using a collaborative, community focused approach that fosters a healthy environment, rural lifestyle, and vibrant economy.

Wahkiakum County Marine Resources Committee has obtained funding to continue Wahkiakum Common Ground. The goal for Phase II is to offer another series of workshops in 2026 that will be open to the public at large. More details will be announced when they are available. We hope to see you there.